Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: Sports

Sophomore guard Jeremy Granger takes the ball down the court during the game against Belmont University on Saturday night at Lantz Arena.(Denver Fidler/The Daily Eastern News)

The Eastern men's basketball team finished 2-1 during Thanksgiving Break, with wins against Eureka and Chicago State. They lost to Belmont Saturday.

The Panthers started the break with a 93-64 win against Eureka Nov. 21 in Lantz Arena. Eureka led the Panthers by four with 6:44 left in the first half, but that was when the Panthers took over. Eastern went on a 19-2 run to end the half and build a 45-32 halftime lead.

The Panthers outscored the Red Devils 48-32 in the second half to secure the home win. Junior guard Tyler Laser led the Panthers with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting.

The Panthers traveled north to Chicago Tuesday as they took on Chicago State. It was a homecoming for sophomore guard Jeremy Granger as he led Eastern with 24 points in the 82-68 win.

Eastern was on fire from the field in the first half, shooting 65 percent from the field and went into halftime with a 47-28 lead. Eastern was able to down the Cougars with an early 13-point run, and Chicago State was never able to properly respond.

Granger's 24 led all scorers, Laser added 17 and freshman forward Shaun Pratl scored 12 in the win.

The Panthers were not so lucky in their home game Saturday against Belmont. The Bruins hit 14 three-pointers and took an early lead, that Eastern was never able to battle back in the 95-62 loss.

The Bruins 20-3 first half run was the downfall for Eastern.

Laser was the only Eastern player to reach double figures as he finished the game with 21 points. He was also the only Panther to make a three-pointer. Belmont was also able to dominate the boards, finishing with a 41-29 advantage.

The Panthers will continue their season on Thursday when they travel to Tennessee State to begin Ohio Valley Conference play.

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